206: Go back to the mountain

"Where is the medicine?"

Ping Yizhi asked impatiently.

As a miraculous divine physician of his generation, Ping Yizhi naturally wanted to see or even study such a mysterious medicine.

He had never heard of, nor could he imagine, bones shattered into pieces actually being able to heal to the point where a person could stand again.

For a healer, such a divine medicine was naturally extremely important.

He had to study it thoroughly.

"As long as you follow my instructions, I will naturally find this medicine for you."

Ning Yuan gave a mysterious smile.

Ping Yizhi's eyes flickered. After a moment, he said, "Fine, I agree to your request."

Ping Yizhi gritted his teeth and made his decision.

For him now, his only pursuit was the art of medicine.

And treating all kinds of difficult and complicated diseases—curing ailments that others could not.

Bones shattered into fragments were clearly an incurable condition.

If there was a medicine that could treat it, he naturally had to understand it.

After he agreed, it wasn't long before Min Rou pushed Shi Qing into the Ping Residence.

"It seems you truly intend to find that black jade muscle regeneration balm; it appears the balm was not a fabrication of yours."

Upon seeing Shi Qing, Ping Yizhi immediately understood that Ning Yuan was not talking nonsense.

Since the other party used such means to have him save the man, it proved their relationship was excellent; the man's leg bones were shattered into fragments, beyond human power to heal.

"It seems a test subject for the black jade muscle regeneration balm is already here; now all that's missing is the medicine itself."

Ping Yizhi said, then grabbed Shi Qing's wrist to take his pulse.

"Divine Physician Ping, *cough cough*, I wonder if my injuries..."

Shi Qing asked with a pale face.

His eyes were filled with anticipation.

Even an ant clings to life.

Having survived the initial crisis and now meeting the world's number one divine physician, Shi Qing was naturally full of hope.

Ping Yizhi frowned slightly. After a moment, he said, "Your injuries are indeed severe. By all rights, you should have been a dead man long ago, but a force has protected the vitality of your heart's meridians. This must be the True Qi of you Jianghu people; otherwise, you definitely wouldn't have lasted until now."

Ping Yizhi stated decisively.

Then he showed a look of confusion, "However, I have treated many Jianghu people over the years. They also had Internal Energy, but I've never seen anyone able to achieve this. Moreover, I see your injuries are over a month old; to control such injuries for so long without them erupting is truly unbelievable!"

Ping Yizhi couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

Over the years, he had treated hundreds or thousands of Jianghu people, including many experts.

But not one had such ability.

To keep a dying person in their original state for over a month without the injuries worsening—such miraculous methods made Ping Yizhi extremely curious.

Although he didn't know martial arts, he knew that True Qi might protect the heart's meridians, temporarily suppress a person's injuries, or even suppress toxins, but such methods could not last long.

Even for those with extremely profound Internal Energy, it would only be a temporary suppression for a few hours.

Helping someone else suppress their injuries was even more difficult.

It required almost constant transmission of True Qi.

But no one could continuously transmit True Qi to maintain another's vitality.

"This is all thanks to Brother Yue. Without Brother Yue's constant assistance, I would have perished on that isolated island overseas long ago."

Shi Qing said with a face full of gratitude.

"I didn't expect him to have such methods. It seems there's a great difference between types of True Qi. Perhaps if I get the chance, I should study that too."

Ping Yizhi was deep in thought.

Then he said calmly, "Just push him into the room and have him lie down. I will begin the treatment now. During this period, do not let anyone disturb me."

Ping Yizhi spoke with great seriousness.

"Thank you, Divine Physician. Don't worry, I will guard the outside."

Min Rou immediately said with joy... Several hours later.

Ping Yizhi walked out with a pale face.

"Divine Physician, how is my Senior Brother?"

Min Rou, who had been waiting anxiously outside, immediately stepped forward to ask.

"He has been saved. The internal blood stasis has been drained, and I have temporarily controlled the injuries to his heart's meridians and internal organs. Next, he needs to recuperate well with medicine. He should be mostly recovered in a month."

Ping Yizhi said with a hint of exhaustion.

"Thank you, Divine Physician."

Min Rou was suddenly overjoyed.

She and Ning Yuan had done those things, which already made her feel she had wronged Shi Qing. Since Shi Qing was injured, her heart had been suffering even more torment.

Now that Shi Qing's body was finally improving and there was hope, it allowed Min Rou's guilt-ridden heart to settle slightly... At the same time.

News of Ning Yuan's return spread rapidly.

"Yue Buqun is back?"

"Then what about our Sect Head?"

Many people showed nervous expressions and discussed it fervently.

Dozens of people went to Xia Ke Island this time, which meant dozens of Schools were involved.

All these people failing to return would naturally cause a shockwave.

Although this was the second time, no one returned the first time, but this time, someone had come back.

"No, I have to go and ask what exactly happened on Xia Ke Island, and about my father's safety!"

Someone suddenly stood up and spoke loudly.

A look of worry also appeared on their face.

"Right, I'm going too. Yue Buqun is the first person from any School to leave Xia Ke Island alive in over thirty years. None of those who went with him returned. Something must have happened on the island; we must ask for a clear explanation."

"Let's go together!"

Many people stood up and spoke one after another, most of them joining in out of excitement and curiosity.

After all, Xia Ke Island was too mysterious.

With so many experts buried there, it was impossible not to be curious.

"A place that attracts so many experts must have a peerless Treasure Trove or peerless divine arts. Since Yue Buqun is the only one who returned alive, I'm afraid the treasure and the divine arts have already fallen into his hands."

Hearing these words, some people showed looks of greed.

But they quickly reacted and showed a hint of fear.

After all, Yue Buqun's strength was far beyond what they could covet.

There were rumors that he was a top-tier expert who could fight Dongfang Bubai without being defeated.

Although they didn't know if it was true, the people of the Sun Moon Divine Sect did not refute it, and Dongfang Bubai had no reaction, which was enough to show it was likely true.

Dongfang Bubai's fierce reputation was known throughout the world; the entire Jianghu was under his feet, and no one dared to oppose him.

Even the former Zuo Lengchan didn't dare to face him directly.

Now that Yue Buqun could contend with him, these people naturally felt fear in their hearts.

The only thing that gave them some confidence was that Yue Buqun was the leader of the Righteous Path, the Five Mountains Alliance Chief, and the Huashan Sect Leader Gentleman Sword, not a member of the Demonic Cult. The Demonic Cult acted ruthlessly and heartlessly, killing countless people.

But the Righteous Path, no matter how high their martial arts, had to be reasonable and value their reputation.

Even if they were dissatisfied, they wouldn't do something like a total massacre.

Even Zuo Lengchan back then, who acted so viciously, had to find a reason before he could move against people of the Righteous Path.

Without a reason, he couldn't act.

Otherwise, it would be easy to leave a handle for others and invite opposition from the entire Righteous Path.

And they were only going to ask about the whereabouts of their Seniors and relatives; this was a legitimate reason. As the leader of the Righteous Path, Yue Buqun would never do anything to harm them.

This was the source of the confidence that emboldened them to go.

Such things were happening in more than one place.

Almost everyone in the world was stirred by this.

It wasn't just the heads of the thirty-odd Schools who went this time, but also those of the previous generation.

Those who could go to Xia Ke Island might not have been top-tier experts in the world at the time, but they were definitely first or second-class figures and well-known personages.

The impact was enormous.

Coupled with curiosity and greed for whatever was on Xia Ke Island, various Schools all swarmed toward Huashan... "Junior Sister Min Rou, now that Brother Shi Qing's injuries have just stabilized, I think you two should not return to Xuan Su Manor for now."

After Shi Qing woke up, Ning Yuan sighed and spoke in a deep voice.

Min Rou's face changed slightly. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, she heard Shi Qing say, "We have already troubled Brother Yue for so long; it's really not right for us to continue..."

"Brother Shi, have you considered that so many people went to Xia Ke Island, and now only a few of us have returned? If you return to Xuan Su Manor alone, I'm afraid Xuan Su Manor will no longer be peaceful!"

Ning Yuan sighed and said with concern, "By then, many forces will surely come to visit and ask about what happened on Xia Ke Island. In case..."

Ning Yuan shook his head, not finishing the sentence, but the meaning was already self-evident.

Shi Qing's face changed slightly after hearing this, clearly understanding the meaning in Ning Yuan's words.

This was by no means alarmist talk.

"As expected, Brother Yue considers things more thoroughly. I actually didn't think about these things at all. If these people can't get answers from Brother Yue, they will surely come to Xuan Su Manor to ask me. Now that I am seriously injured and unable to resist, with only Junior Sister alone, she could fall into danger at any time. If these people resort to ruthless measures..."

Shi Qing's expression was solemn, and he felt a wave of lingering fear.

Such consequences were more than he could bear.

After hearing this, Min Rou's tense body also relaxed, and she couldn't help but nod.

Although she knew the other party might have ulterior motives, what he said was also a fact.

With the strength of Xuan Su Manor, let alone now with Shi Qing seriously injured, even when he wasn't injured, it was impossible to withstand the coercion of so many Jianghu Schools coming to their door.

Shi Qing had been in the Jianghu for so many years and knew the nature of these Jianghu people very well.

Even if they seemed upright on the surface, sometimes to achieve their goals, they would also use unscrupulous means and disregard reason.

"It seems we can only continue to trouble Brother Yue now."

Shi Qing said apologetically.

Min Rou could only remain silent.

"We are brothers; what kind of trouble is this? Brother Shi's words are far too formal."

"How about this? We will set off tomorrow morning."

"Good!"

Shi Qing naturally had no reason to refuse... When Ning Yuan and his party returned to Huashan, many Jianghu people had already begun appearing in the inns at the foot of the mountain.

People from all the major Schools had arrived.

Even people from Shaolin and Wudang were on their way.

Huashan was already prepared for a confrontation.

However, with Ning Yuan's appearance, the Huashan Disciples all breathed a sigh of relief.

"Master, you're finally back!"

"Great, Master is back."

Several Disciples immediately shouted loudly, full of joy.

"Dad..."

Yue Lingshan also ran over quickly.

After Ning Yuan went up the mountain, Ning Zhongze also appeared with a prominent belly.

After not seeing each other for two or three months, Ning Zhongze was already heavily pregnant.

"Senior Brother."

Seeing Ning Yuan return safely, Ning Zhongze immediately stepped forward with joy.

"Junior Sister, don't worry."

Soon after, the entire Huashan was filled with a festive atmosphere.

And within a few days of Ning Yuan's return, people began to come up the mountain to pay their respects.

"Alliance Leader Yue, I wonder what kind of place that Xia Ke Island really is, and what happened to the fellow Martial Forest members who went with you?"

Someone stood out and asked directly.

Many people looked up at Ning Yuan with curious gazes.

Facing everyone's gaze, Ning Yuan was perfectly calm. "Xia Ke Island is indeed no ordinary place. There is a peerless technique there to be comprehended. After entering the island, all our fellow companions became obsessed with the martial arts there, and many suffered Qi Deviation as a result."

"The Seniors of the previous generation who went to Xia Ke Island were the same. Because of Qi Deviation, some died, some were crippled, and some went mad. In the end, they fought each other in the chaos, resulting in countless casualties."

"And this time, because an unprecedented conflict broke out inside the mountain, it caused the mountain to collapse, burying countless people alive within it."

"I, Yue, also narrowly escaped this time. Even the Master of Xuan Su Manor left behind a pair of legs and was seriously injured, nearly staying inside as well."

Ning Yuan's tone was heavy.

Shi Qing, who was nearby, also nodded and said solemnly, "If not for Brother Yue's assistance this time, we, husband and wife, would probably have remained on Xia Ke Island as well."

Although Shi Qing knew Ning Yuan was lying, he didn't want to expose him. After all, there was no benefit to them in doing so.

Especially since he owed his life to the other party's great kindness, he naturally could only help cover it up.

Moreover, what the other party said wasn't entirely wrong. Everyone had ambushed Ning Yuan to fight for the Cultivation Technique, and finally, a conflict broke out between the two sides, leading to the mountain's collapse.

In the end, most were buried.

As for how the remaining people died, he was already unconscious at the time and didn't know the details.

Therefore, he only spoke part of the truth selectively.

It wasn't a complete lie.

"Such a thing actually happened?"

"Impossible! My Master has always been incorruptible and highly respected. How could he conflict with others over a single martial art?"

Someone shouted loudly, looking incredulous.

"What? Do you mean to say I, Yue, am lying?"

Ning Yuan snorted and glanced at the speaker, then added, "Whether you believe it or not, this is the truth. If any of you don't believe it, feel free to find Zhang San and Li Si in the Jianghu and have them take you to Xia Ke Island again. Then you will naturally know the truth."

Ning Yuan said indifferently.

"This..."

Many people showed hesitant expressions.

After all, Zhang San and Li Si were not to be trifled with. Even their Seniors were no match for them; how could they be?

Especially since those two were not members of the Righteous Path.

They had no reason to hold back against them.

This was completely different from a Righteous Path leader like Ning Yuan.

Those two were truly fierce and would actually kill people.

Ning Yuan couldn't help but sneer inwardly at this scene; these people were all bullies who feared the strong.

Although he now had the strength to suppress everything with power.

Ning Yuan was unwilling to do so.

Because his goal had already been achieved, and there was no need to continue wasting effort.